The Investment Promotion Board set up to promote Goa as an ideal destination for investment may have been a very good idea. However the path to generating 50,000 jobs by ensuring that investment worth Rs 25,000 crore comes in may be a little rocky.
Various people aware of the inner working of the organization believe that the typical style that prevails in other government departments is valid here too. Speaking specifically about the manner in which scheduled meetings were postponed or brought forward depending on the absence or availability of the personnel concerned required to move matters forward, a senior executive involved in the process revealed the presence of the former CM and present defense minister was a constant which lead to speculation if the policy was being driven by him or the present CM.
Another businessman said there was an absence of transparency which leads to unnecessary speculation. He said “As per the investment policy it was very clear that industries that polluted the environment would not be encouraged or those like the steel mills which required a great deal of electricity. However one day according to my sources, without any intimation a proposal for a steel mill was tabled and passed. What does it say about the rules that are laid down in this state?” Providing another example he said a company claimed to operate in the agricultural space asked for 25,000 sq mtr. They then asked for another meeting and got themselves another 5000 sq mtrs, this without really providing much info about their plans etc. A rough plan showed a drawing of a tent and a building marked rest rooms. He wondered if this was another ploy to take over land given that there were rumors the company was owned by a senior politician from Maharashtra. Questioned about these allegations, a senior member of a trade association in the state said that the steel plant proposal was turned down and it was a case of the mill wanting to relocate to a more suitable location. On the other matter of the land being allocated he claimed to have no knowledge. This perhaps could be attributed to the absence of clarity.
A senior corporate executive in the know claimed that Goan companies interested in expanding operations were having a tough time trying to push their proposals forward. A senior manager of a large Goan company interested in expanding its operations in the state said “I do not wish to speak because the authorities can create more trouble for us but I will say this, it has been a terrible experience. And let me add that this is not only our experience but of all the Goan companies interested in expanding operations in the state.” On the subject of the appointment of the CEO, the President of CII Goa Chapter, Parag Joshi said “The process is in the final stages and the name of the selected candidate will be known by the end of the month. Everything is in place. The delay was due to the house proceedings and once he is in place things will certainly move smoothly”. Another businessman not keen on coming on board due to the sensitivity of the subject said that the caliber of people who had applied was not up to the mark. He went further and aid that it was quite obvious that a serious corporate professional would not want to be associated with such a post because he or she would have to listen to the demands of the politicians despite claims that the person selected for the post would not be under such pressure. Kirit Maganlal the former head of CII Goa rubbished this saying that the post was for a professional who would be working for the development of the state. With regards to the caliber of people who put forward their name for the post, he said the candidate selected for the post would receive training from a select group of people who would mentor him or her. Parag Josh, Chairman CII Goa said “Once the CEO was announced and took charge, all these rumors would all stop and the move towards attracting investments and generating jobs would gain pace”.
Given the state of the economy and the weak sentiment, it will be hoped that such a radical overhaul would be just what the doctor ordered.
